Free Warrior's Dawn (Fire and Tears) by Isabo Kelly Page B

ordered, “Back to the Citadel.”
    Marching boots echoed out into the streets. The minions made no effort to be quiet or conceal their movements.
    Even when Althir was sure they were several blocks away, he remained perfectly motionless under the bed, his hand on Mina’s arm. She didn’t move either. They remained that way for what felt like a long time, and to Althir’s horror he did drift off to sleep once. He blinked his eyes open to see Mina staring at him.
    She whispered, “I think we’re safe enough for now. But we need to stay here until sunset, in case the woman left someone to watch the building.”
    He nodded.
    “I think we can come out from under the bed,” she continued. “Stay away from the windows.”
    He followed her as she agilely rolled out from their hiding spot. His movements were stiffer, less graceful as exhaustion continued to drag at him.
    Mina didn’t bother to stand but propped herself against a nearby wall, watching him through narrowed eyes. He remained sitting on the floor too with his back against the bed. He mustered enough energy to remove his quiver and bow, keeping them close, opposite the sword he still held in one hand, then settled against the mattress again. Unable to hold his head up anymore, he let it fall back against the side of the bed and closed his eyes.
    “What did you do?” she murmured.
    “When I’m not in danger of falling unconscious, I’ll explain.” He swallowed hard and tried to clear his throat quietly. His voice sounded rough and gravelly.
    “Are you okay?”
    “Need sleep. Hard to stay awake now.”
    “Sleep, then. I’ll wake you if the patrols return.”
    “Can’t. You need my help.”
    She snorted. “You’re no good to me in the state you’re in. Rest. We still have a few hours before the sun sets and another hour before full dark. I’ll keep an eye on things. Will those hours be enough for you to recover?”
    He moved his head in a bare nod and finally let go of consciousness.

Chapter Seven
    Mina studied Althir’s face as his breathing deepened into obvious sleep. His cheeks were hollow and there were strain lines around his eyes and mouth. Whatever he’d done to keep them hidden, it had cost Althir dearly.
    She berated herself for not knowing he could do this sooner. Or what the effects of using this magic would be. She should have pushed him for this information yesterday, or the night before while they were in Noman’s Land! This was just the kind of detail she needed and had intended to get from him right from the beginning. Yet she’d let him distract her. Let her attraction and anger override her sense.
    Shaking her head, she eased up from the floor and edged carefully to a window to search the streets. She was going to get them killed by not remembering why they were here. Her job during the war had always been to obtain information. She’d failed miserably at doing that with Althir. Any more such failures could land them into the hands of the Sorcerers.
    She left him sleeping where he was and went to check the other side of the building. The surrounding streets were quiet again, no evidence of anyone watching their location. Though she hadn’t been aware of the woman watching for them all day. Another failure on her part. Usually her instincts were better than that, enough to leave her edgy and aware if she’d been spotted.
    Again, her only excuse was her reactions to Althir. She shouldn’t have taken this mission. The council should have sent someone else. She was making mistakes. Dangerous ones. And if she couldn’t trust her instincts going forward, how could she keep them both from getting caught?
    With a deep breath, she refocused on her job, or tried to. She needed to get back to doing what she was good at—watching, listening, collecting information. And staying well enough hidden that Althir never had to do again what he’d done earlier. He’d saved their lives. But at what cost? If he tried that at the wrong time,